After a 15-year-old boy went missing in Riverview, MO, James Carroll jokingly suggested on Nextdoor to check the mayor's basement, referencing past allegations against Mayor Michael Cornell. In retaliation, Carroll received a subpoena over concerns of inciting violence and defamation. The Institute for Justice intervened, asserting the subpoena infringes on free speech. Carroll, a mental health counselor, plans to contest the subpoena, stating the need to hold elected officials accountable. Legal experts argue this case highlights a trend of public officials abusing their power to silence critics.
The city has a troubling history of retaliation against those who challenge its leadership, and this incident reflects a broader issue of suppressing dissenting voices.
Carroll's comments were dismissed as humorous, but the mayor's response can be seen as an overreach of power that stifles free speech.
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